Fields-Smith and Baker (2023) identify a significant gap in the existing literature by focusing on the intersectionality of home education, Black families, and rural communities. The authors point out that there have been a few studies that have focused on Black home-educating families, but
these tend to be focused on families from urban areas. However, this is not congruent with demographic data which the authors present showing that most Black home educating families live in rural areas.
A unique aspect of this study is that the authors did not define “rural” to the study participants before soliciting qualitative data to answer the research questions. Rather, the researchers let the participants provide their own definitions of rurality, and these descriptions
provided emerging themes that formed a key aspect of the study’s findings.
Methodology
This research was a qualitative pilot study intended as an initial foray into this subset of home educators who are Black and who live in self-described rural communities. The researchers use a “community nominating process” whereby potential participants were referred to the study by other community members. In the end, twelve participants were
selected, all of whom were home educating mothers. The participants represented eight states,
. . . . . [new study continues here] And please see comments below.
--Brian D. Ray,
Ph.D.
National Home Education Research Institute
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